The Orionid meteor
shower, an annual feature of the night sky from October 2 to November 7, is
predicted to peak on Thursday, according to NASA. However, the bright glow of
the meteor shower might be difficult to spot as the event is going to coincide
with a full moon night. NASA meteor experts say that because the moon will be
up all night, it will be very difficult to see the shower.

What are meteor
showers?

Meteors are formed
out of leftover rocky pieces from when a comet flies past the Sun. Meteor
showers occur when the Earth passes through one of those fields of debris.

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What’s so special
about the Orionid meteor shower?

The Orionid meteor
showers are formed out of the ice and dust released by the Halley’s Comet when
it enters the inner solar system, says NASA. Orionid meteor showers fall to the
Earth’s surface at a whopping 148,000 mph. Brightly coloured, Orionid meteors
leaving glowing trains behind them and sometimes turn into fireballs.

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When will the
Orionid meteor shower be visible?

The Orionid meteor
shower is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday. Meteors should be visible
from 10 pm EDT (7:30 am IST). The best time to watch is 2 am EDT (11:00 am IST)
on Thursday.

What will be the
sight like?

Space debris left
behind by the Halley’s Comet, a short-period comet visible from Earth every 76
years, will shoot down from the sky at high speeds. During the Orionid meteor
showers, the sky is expected to see 10 to 20 meteors per hour.

What causes the
Orionid meteor shower?

The Orionid meteor
shower is caused when the debris left behind by the Halley’s Comet intersects
with the Earth’s orbit. Although Halley’s Comet appears only every 76 years, it
leaves behind a trail that cause Orionids in October and Eta Aquarids in May.